Abstract:
Se proporcionan aquí modalidades de métodos y aparatos para vuelo en formación cerrada. Se proporcionan métodos para detectar flujo de aire tridimensional (3D) por una aeronave. Se proporcionan métodos para buscar un patrón de flujo de aire. Se proporcionan métodos de rastreo de vórtice por una aeronave. Se proporcionan métodos para operar una aeronave para vuelo en una formación cerrada. Se proporcionan métodos para operar una aeronave en un vuelo en formación cerrada. Se proporcionan métodos para cambiar posiciones de al menos dos aeronaves en un vuelo en formación cerrada. Se proporcionan métodos para establecer conciencia de situación durante vuelo en formación. Se proporciona métodos de evaluación métrica de una formación cerrada entre una aeronave líder y una aeronave seguidora. Se proporcionan aparatos para vuelo en formación cerrada. Se proporcionan sistemas de detección de flujo de aire.
Abstract:
Se proporcionan en la presente modalidades de aparatos para proporcionar comunicaciones inalámbricas aerotransportadas distribuidas. En algunas modalidades, una carga útil de comunicación distribuida incluye: un módulo de electrónicos de control de carga útil; un módulo de enlace de aire a usuario para proporcionar enlaces de comunicación inalámbricos entre plataformas aerotransportadas y dispositivos de usuario final; y un módulo de enlace de aire a aire para proporcionar enlaces de comunicaciones inalámbricas entre las plataformas aerotransportadas; en donde los módulos de aire a usuario y de aire a aire se subdividen en múltiples secciones que pueden disponerse en diferentes plataformas.
Abstract:
Se proporcionan en la presente modalidades de aparatos para proporcionar comunicaciones inalámbricas aerotransportadas distribuidas. En algunas modalidades, una carga útil de comunicación distribuida incluye: un módulo de electrónicos de control de carga útil; un módulo de enlace de aire a usuario para proporcionar enlaces de comunicación inalámbricos entre plataformas aerotransportadas y dispositivos de usuario final; y un módulo de enlace de aire a aire para proporcionar enlaces de comunicaciones inalámbricas entre las plataformas aerotransportadas; en donde los módulos de aire a usuario y de aire a aire se subdividen en múltiples secciones que pueden disponerse en diferentes plataformas.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide an alternative distributed airborne transportation system. In some embodiments, a method for distributed airborne transportation includes: providing an airborne vehicle with a wing and a wing span, having capacity to carry one or more of passengers or cargo; landing of the airborne vehicle near one or more of passengers or cargo and loading at least one of passengers or cargo; taking-off and determining a flight direction for the airborne vehicle; locating at least one other airborne vehicle, which has substantially the same flight direction; and joining at least one other airborne vehicle in flight formation and forming a fleet, in which airborne vehicles fly with the same speed and direction and in which adjacent airborne vehicles are separated by distance of less than 100 wing spans.
Abstract:
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing distributed airborne wireless communications are provided herein. In some embodiments, a communication fleet includes: an airborne communication payload subdivided into multiple payload sections; and a plurality of airborne platforms each including a payload section, wherein each airborne platform comprises an airframe, a propulsion system, a power system, and flight control electronics, wherein the propulsion system is configured to provide propulsion power and thrust to maintain level flight, ascend, descend and maneuver the airborne platform, wherein the power system provides electrical power to the propulsion system, the flight control electronics, and the payload section, and wherein the flight control electronics provide capability to control a position, speed, and flight pattern of the airborne platform.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for an adaptable solar airframe are provided herein. In some embodiments, an adaptable solar airframe includes an expandable body having an aerodynamic cross-section that reduces parasitic air drag at any given thickness of the body, further being able to change its shape in flight in response to changes in the relative position of the sun; and a flexible solar PV system attached to the surface of the expandable body.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide an aircraft for vertical take-off and landing. In various embodiments, an aircraft assembly includes at least one first wing portion providing a lift force during a horizontal flight, at least one wing opening disposed on a vertical axis of the at least one first wing portion and at least one thruster positioned inside the at least one wing opening to provide vertical thrust during a vertical flight. The aircraft assembly can further include air vents positioned inside at least one of the wing openings. The air vents can further include louvres positioned over or under the air vents to open and close the wing openings. The thruster can further be used to provide flight control for the aircraft.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide an alternative distributed airborne transportation system. In some embodiments, a method for distributed airborne transportation includes: providing an airborne vehicle with a wing and a wing span, having capacity to carry one or more of passengers or cargo; landing of the airborne vehicle near one or more of passengers or cargo and loading at least one of passengers or cargo; taking-off and determining a flight direction for the airborne vehicle; locating at least one other airborne vehicle, which has substantially the same flight direction; and joining at least one other airborne vehicle in flight formation and forming a fleet, in which airborne vehicles fly with the same speed and direction and in which adjacent airborne vehicles are separated by distance of less than 100 wing spans.
Abstract:
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing distributed airborne wireless communications are provided herein. In some embodiments, an airborne wireless service area includes: an airborne fleet, comprised of a plurality of aircraft, wherein the airborne fleet is configured to transmit a plurality of first beams at a first radio frequency (RF), wherein the plurality of first beams are characterized by corresponding first frequency band, channel, bandwidth, transmission format, uneven angular field intensity distribution, and boundaries, wherein neighboring first beams have an overlap region, and wherein at least one of the following characteristics is different between the neighboring first beams: frequency band, channel, or transmission format; and a plurality of first communication cells defined by respective boundaries of the plurality of first beams, wherein each of the first communication cells are characterized by their size, shape, and position.
Abstract:
An aircraft for vertical take-off and landing includes an aircraft frame having an open frame portion, at least one vertical thruster, a pod, separable from the aircraft and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, where the pod, when mounted to the aircraft, defines at least a portion of the aircraft frame, and a mounting system including at least one attachment member configured to attach the pod to the open frame portion. Such aircraft is capable of flight with and without the pod.